The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.